U-boat Archive - BDU KTB PG30321

F.d.U./B.d.U.'S War Log

1 - 15 April 1943

PG30321

1. April 1943.

I.	U 67	-	DT 36	U 172	-	DG 99	U 373	-	BD 22	U 530	-	AK 65
	68	-	Op(DP 70)	174	-	BD 87	381	-	BF 58	532	-	AE 68
	71	-	BE 93	178	-	BE 99	404	-	BE 19	563	-	AK 58
	84	-	Op(AJ 91)	180	-	CF 36	409	-	Op(AK 44)	564	-	AK 64
	86	-	AK 93	181	-	DH 54	413	-	BF 44	571	-	BE 19
	105	-	EK 18	182	-	Op(KP 60)	415	-	AK 37	572	-	AK 56
	106	-	BE 96	183	-	Op(DM 41)	438	-	BF 54	584	-	AK 95
	109	-	BF 61	185	-	Op(DM 90)	440	-	BD 22	590	-	BD 22
	117	-	BF 54	188	-	Op(AJ 58)	441	-	BD 22	591	-	AL 81
	119	-	BF 68	191	-	AK 62	455	-	Op(DJ 16)	592	-	AK 65
	123	-	EK 17	196	-	CF 48	463	-	BD 22	594	-	AK 94
	124	-	BE 93	195	-	AL 23	487	-	AF 73	598	-	Op(AK 03)
	126	-	DH 47	198	-	DG 99	506	-	FU 54	610	-	AL 47
	129	-	DP 53	229	-	Op(AD 94)	509	-	Op(GR 20)	613	-	BE 46
	134	-	AL 17	257	-	Op(AJ 59)	510	-	DS 17	615	-	Op(AJ 92)
	154	-	DG 99	260	-	AK 64	513	-	DU 16	618	-	AK 66
	155	-	Op(DM 10)	267	-	BD 61	515	-	DU 44	630	-	AK 61
	159	-	DT 29	270	-	AK 82	516	-	Op(GJ 30)	631	-	Op(AK 38)
	160	-	GG 12	305	-	AL 47	518	-	FC 29	632	-	AL 42
	161	-	CC 18	306	-	AL 42	523	-	AK 93	635	-	AK 61
	167	-	DU 24	333	-	AK 95	526	-	BD 22	641	-	BD 22
	168	-	AK 56	336	-	AK 94	527	-	BD 22	642	-	BD 34
	169	-	AL 15	663	-	BE 18	666	-	BD 22	704	-	AL 31
	662	-	BE 27							705	-	AK 66

	On Return Passage: U 84 - 86 - 106 - 119 - 160 - 172 - 305 - 333 - 336 - 373 - 440 - 441 - 506 - 510 - 518 - 523 - 526 - 527 - 590 - 591 - 610 - 618 - 641 - 642 - 663 - 666 - 704.
	Entered Port: U 109 - Lorient; U 119 - Bordeaux.
	Sailed: U 303 - 108 - Lorient; U 414 - St. Nazaire; U 258 - La Pallice; U 177 - 462 - Bordeaux.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	At 2100 U 71 was forced by a destroyer and aircraft to submerge in BE 9215. She confirmed their retirement to the S.W. by means of hydrophone. According to dead reckoning, this was probably KMS 12. No operation.
		2)	On the 31st March U 123 sighted a flying boat in DT 9346 and was bombed by an aircraft several hours later in DT 9379. Boat continued operations in spite of extensive damage.
		3)	U 506 has sighted nothing since the 24th March from GJ 77 - FW 51. She is returning via square FF.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sightings: ED 8652, BB 89, DD 3913. Aircraft attack on U-boat in DO 95.
	d)	None.

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IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	None.
	b)	The following boats will form new Group "Löwenherz" - those proceeding from Convoy No. 21 to the W, and those coming from home ports, i.e. U 169 - 191 - 168 - 630 - 635 - 706 - 260 - 564 - 592 - 572 - 530 - 563 - 594 - 584 - and 632. They will be ordered to take up reconnaissance patrol at midnight on the 3rd April from AK 2516 to AK 5919, course 260, day's run 100 miles, in order to intercept convoys bound for England.
	c)	U 172 has taken over LJ from U 154.
	d)	1)	The following sectors are opened for Route A attack on single vessels: Sector A as from midnight on the 2nd April until further notice, Sector D from now until the 6th April. All other sectors are still prohibited including the additional prohibited areas outside the route.
		2)	U 303 and 414 have been transferred the command of Senior Officer U-boat Mediterranean, and have departed for this area.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

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Supreme Command of the Navy

S. O. Only.

U-boats as of 1.April 1943.

In service on the 1st March 1943 :	411
Put into commission in March	27
	438
Losses in March	15	(incl. 1 in home waters, U 5)
In service on 1st April 1943:	423
Foreign submarines	9
	432

Losses in March :

In the Atlantic:	Type VIIc:	U 87 - 444 - 633 - 432 - 384 - 665 - 469	= 7
	Type IX:	U 529 - 130 - 163 - 156 - 524	= 5
In the Mediterranean:	Type VII:	U 83 - 77	= 2
At home:	Type II:	U 5	= 1
			15

Details:

In the Atlantic: Type VIIc.

1)	U 87	-	Arrived in the Atlantic. Refueled from U 461 for the last time on the 26th February in the North Atlantic. Then did not report again.
2)	U 444	-	2nd voyage. Last report was contact with convoy on 11th March in the North Atlantic. Probably sunk by convoy.
3)	U 633	-	1st voyage. Last report on 3rd March after passing Iceland Passage. No further information.
4)	U 432	-	Old boat, new Commanding Officer. Last report on the 10th March S.E. Greenland. No information.
5)	U 384	-	2nd voyage. Last report on 19th March S of Greenland. Probably sunk by convoy.
6)	U 665	-	1st voyage. Last report on 21st March that she had been off La Pallice for 36 hours. Probably sunk by aircraft bombs.
7)	U 469	-	1st voyage. No report, no information.
Type IXc.
8)	U 529	-	New boat, experienced Commanding Officer. Last report was on weather S. of Iceland. No information regarding loss.

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9)	U 130	-	Old boat, new Commanding Officer. Last report on 12th March in the North Atlantic. Probably sunk by convoy.
10)	U 163	-	3rd voyage. No report, no information.
11)	U 156	-	Old boat. Last report on 7th March from the Caribbean. No information.
12)	U 524	-	2nd voyage.
In the Mediterranean: Type VIIc.
13)	U 83	-	Old boat, new Commanding Officer. West Mediterranean.
14)	U 77	-	Old boat, new Commanding Officer. Badly damaged by aircraft bombs. Sunk 15 miles off Cap de la Nao (Spain). 9 men rescued.
In Home Waters: Type II.
15)	U 5	-	Loss when she tried to dive deep contrary to orders.

II.

Distribution:

	II	VIIa	VIIb/c	VIId	IXb/c	IXD1	IXD2	XB	XIV	Total

Operational:	3	-	159	3	53	2	6	3	6	235
On Trial:	-	-	93	-	20	-	6	2	3	124
Training:	33	4	25**	-	2	-	-	-	-	64

	36*	4	277	3	75	2	12	5	9	423
* a further 3 temporarily out of service for the Black Sea.
** 12 of these temporarily transferred for training purposes.

III.

In March:

Further boats detailed for operations:		20
Total number increased by:	+	12
Number of operational boats increased by:	+	6
Number of trial boats increased by:	+	4
Number of training boats increased by:	+	2

IV.

Distribution of Operational Boats on 1st April 1943:

In the Atlantic	194
In the Mediterranean	17
In the North Sea	21	(to be made up to 23 during April)
In the Black Sea	3
	235

During the Atlantic in March :

Daily average at sea:	116	boats.
Of these, in operations area:	49	boats.
Under way:	67	boats.
Of the later on return passage	28.5	boats.

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VI.

Set out in March:

From home waters	20	boats (7 into North Sea)
From Western France	46	boats

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2.April 1943.

I.	U 67	-	DT 38	U 178	-	BF 97	U 409	-	Op(AJ 83)	U 571	-	BE 17
	68	-	Op(DP 40)	180	-	GG 42	413	-	BE 65	572	-	Op(AK 53)
	71	-	BE 84	181	-	DH 76	414	-	BF 58	584	-	Op(AK 59)
	84	-	Op(AJ 81)	182	-	Op(KP 60)	415	-	Op(AK 37)	590	-	BD 22
	86	-	AK 97	183	-	Op(DM 70)	438	-	BF 45	591	-	AL 97
	105	-	EK 48	185	-	Op(DM 90)	440	-	BD 22	592	-	Op(AK 53)
	106	-	BF 46	188	-	Op(AJ 58)	441	-	BD 22	594	-	Op(AK 59)
	108	-	BF 54	191	-	Op(AK 28)	455	-	Op(DJ 20)	598	-	Op(AK 03)
	117	-	BF 48	195	-	AL 19	462	-	BF 91	610	-	AK 95
	123	-	EJ 36	196	-	CF 78	463	-	BD 22	613	-	BD 63
	124	-	BE 94	198	-	DT 27	487	-	AF 47	615	-	Op(AJ 92)
	126	-	DH 74	229	-	AJ 36	506	-	FW 16	618	-	Op(AK 66)
	129	-	DP 22	257	-	Op(AJ 59)	509	-	Op(GR 20)	630	-	Op(AK 27)
	134	-	Op(AK 36)	258	-	BF 91	510	-	DG 77	631	-	Op(AK 38)
	154	-	DG 99	260	-	Op(AK 29)	513	-	Op(DH 97)	632	-	AK 66
	155	-	Op(DM 20)	267	-	BD 28	515	-	DT 38	635	-	Op(AK 27)
	159	-	DT 58	270	-	AE 84	516	-	Op(GJ 40)	641	-	BD 22
	160	-	FU 85	303	-	BF 54	518	-	ER 89	642	-	BE 17
	161	-	CB 38	305	-	AK 95	523	-	AK 95	662	-	BE 18
	167	-	Op(DH 89)	306	-	Op(AK 63)	526	-	BD 22	663	-	BE 28
	168	-	Op(AK 28)	333	-	BD 22	527	-	BD 22	666	-	BD 22
	169	-	Op(AK 35)	336	-	BD 22	530	-	Op(AK 53)	704	-	AE 84
	172	-	DG 99	373	-	BD 22	532	-	AE 59	706	-	Op(AK 62)
	174	-	BD 87	381	-	BF 49	563	-	Op(AK 56)
	177	-	BF 91	404	-	BE 17	564	-	Op(AK 29)

	On Return Passage: U 67 - 84 - 86 - 106 - 160 - 172 - 229 - 305 - 333 - 336 - 373 - 440 - 441 - 506 - 510 - 518 - 523 - 526 - 527 - 590 - 591 - 610 - 618 - 641 - 642 - 663 - 666 - 704.
	Entered Port: - . -
	Sailed: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 178 convoy report see paragraph IVa.
		2)	U 229, reported single vessel with course 320⁰ in AK 1576. Since this square lies in the prohibited 200 mile line the boat was ordered, if she had sufficient fuel, to pursue the ship to the western edge of the prohibited area and then turn about.
		3)	U 195 sighted 2 aircraft and a flying boat while proceeding through the Iceland Passage over AE 6595 and AE 7995.
		4)	U 129 sank the British ship "Melbourne Star" 12,806 GRT in DD 9929, with a cargo of goods, from Liverpool via Panama to Australia with course 250⁰.
		5)	U 182 found no traffic in the area between KQ 64 and 99 and is returning.
	b)	None.

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	c)	U-boat sightings: DM 56.
		Aircraft attacks on U-boats in AJ 33, DO 95, FJ 64, attacks or reports of torpedoing from FW 9988, FJ 6469 and EQ 1112 (Brazilian vessel "Poeter Second")
	d)	From various recent special intercept messages regarding convoy traffic on the American coast, the following information has been obtained: steamers proceed from Ambrose lightship through 30 mile channel to the S.E. and form a convoy from CA 5230 to 2890, then proceeding in a line about 60 miles wide via CB 1790 to BB 7950. Here and in BB 87 rendezvous with part convoys coming from Halifax, then further E. Two out-going and incoming convoys can be reckoned on off New York within 10 days as well as continual unescorted stragglers.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	U 178 sighted at 1605 in CF 3389 a convoy with course 200⁰ and slow speed. She was ordered carefully to maintain contact until U 124, which was in the vicinity, came up. At 1855 the latter reported the convoy, consisting of a few steamers, in CF 3628. U 178 then proceeded S. U 124 pursued the convoy alone and does not appear to have sent in any further reports of contacts. Up to morning the boat had not reported again.
	b)	1)	In the patrol line of Group "Löwenherz" the North boats, up to and including U 572, will move up by one position to the N. The unoccupied position will be taken up by U 632. Following the loss of U 169 the patrol line now extends from AK 2516 to AK 5678. Sequence: U 191 - 168 - 630 - 635 - 706 - 260 - 564 - 592 - 572 - 632 - 530 - 563 - 594 - 584.
		2)	U 258 - 71 - 413 - 438 - 270 - 532 - 381 and 108 will proceed to AJ 99 and are to be disposed there in the patrol line. U 177 will proceed to GR, U 124, contrary to previous order, to CA 50 after breaking off of the convoy operation.
		3)	U 161 will have freedom of action in area CA 20 - 60 and CB 10 and 40. It will operate there against traffic according to III d.
	c)	U 67 has handed over her remaining fuel to U 515 and is returning. Also, U 641 has refueled from U 463 for return.
	d)	1)	U 174 will take up position as from 4th April in BD 7897, upper left-hand corner, for rendezvous with "Irene" which is returning home. Until time for departure the boat will wait in BD 8777, lower left-hand corner, for "Karin" which is homeward-bound and has been due for several days.
		2)	U 169 has not yet reported since her departure from Kiel. British aircraft sighted a U-boat on the 25th March in AF 7963. Possibly this was U 169. The boat must be considered lost.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 129 - 1 ship 12,806 GRT.

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3.April 1943.

I.	U 67	-	DT 38	U 178	-	CF 62	U 404	-	BD 35	U 563	-	Op(AK 56)
	68	-	Op(DO 60)	180	-	GG 82	409	-	Op(AJ 83)	564	-	Op(AK 29)
	71	-	BE 58	181	-	DT 35	413	-	BE 56	571	-	BD 38
	84	-	Op(AJ 91)	182	-	JA 24	414	-	BF 49	572	-	Op(AK 53)
	86	-	AK 67	183	-	Op(DM 70)	415	-	Op(AK 37)	584	-	Op(AK 56)
	105	-	Op(EK 40)	185	-	Op(DM 91)	438	-	BE 65	590	-	BD 22
	106	-	BF 55	188	-	Op(AJ 58)	440	-	BD 22	591	-	BE 26
	108	-	BF 45	191	-	Op(AK 25)	441	-	BD 22	592	-	Op(AK 53)
	117	-	BE 93	195	-	AL 74	455	-	Op(DJ 20)	594	-	Op(AK 56)
	123	-	EJ 66	196	-	DG 36	462	-	BF 81	598	-	Op(AK 03)
	124	-	CF 39	198	-	DT 57	463	-	BD 22	610	-	AL 95
	126	-	DT 26	229	-	AJ 33	487	-	AE 68	613	-	BD 37
	129	-	DD 95	257	-	Op(AJ 59)	506	-	FP 77	615	-	Op(AJ 92)
	134	-	Op(AK 36)	258	-	BF 81	509	-	Op(GJ)	618	-	Op(AK 66)
	154	-	DT 52	260	-	Op(AK 29)	510	-	DG 73	630	-	Op(AK 27)
	155	-	Op(DM 20)	267	-	BD 11	513	-	Op(DH 95)	631	-	Op(AK 38)
	159	-	Op(DT 88)	270	-	AL 16	515	-	DT 38	632	-	Op(AK 52)
	160	-	FU 58	303	-	BF 49	516	-	Op(GJ)	635	-	Op(AK 27)
	161	-	CL 29	305	-	AK 56	518	-	ER 59	641	-	BD 35
	167	-	Op(DH 96)	306	-	Op(AK 63)	523	-	BD 22	642	-	BE 27
	168	-	Op(AK 25)	333	-	BD 22	526	-	BD 22	662	-	BD 36
	172	-	DG 83	336	-	BD 22	527	-	BD 22	663	-	BE 62
	174	-	BD 87	373	-	BD 22	530	-	Op(AK 53)	666	-	BD 22
	177	-	BF 82	381	-	BF 47	532	-	AE 81	704	-	AE 68
										706	-	Op(AK 27)

	On Return Passage: U 67 - 84 - 86 - 106 - 160 - 172 - 229 - 305 - 333 - 336 - 373 - 440 - 441 - 506 - 510 - 518 - 523 - 526 - 527 - 590 - 591 - 610 - 618 - 642 - 641 - 663 - 666 - 704.
	Entered Port: - . -
	Sailed: U 203 - Brest; U 189 - 197 - 648 - Kiel.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	The steamer reported yesterday by U 229 was definitely established by her to be former type "Kota Nopan". The last sighting was at 0200 in AK 1543, mean course 0⁰, cruising speed 6 knots. This ship must have been the "Karin" which has been awaited for several days by the U 174, been missed by her and proceeded on her way in a northerly course.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sightings in DM 51.
		Attack by aircraft in DM 28 and in position not decoded. (Gibraltar Radio).
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	No reports on convoy from U 124.
	b)	None.

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	c)	1)	U 590 and 440 refueled from U 463 for return.
		2)	U 455 reported special operation carried out (minelaying off Casablanca).
	d)	None.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

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4.April 1943.

I.	U 67	-	DH 76	U 180	-	GG 97	U 381	-	BE 68	U 563	-	Op(AK 46)
	68	-	Op(DP 40)	181	-	DT 65	404	-	BD 26	564	-	Op(AK 19)
	71	-	BE 49	182	-	JA 72	409	-	AK 77	571	-	BD 26
	84	-	Op(AJ 91)	183	-	Op(DM 70)	413	-	BE 55	572	-	Op(AK 43)
	86	-	AK 89	185	-	Op(DM 90)	414	-	BE 98	584	-	Op(AK 43)
	105	-	EK 75	188	-	Op(AJ 58)	415	-	Op(AK 37)	590	-	BD 32
	106	-	BF 61	189	-	AO	438	-	BE 56	591	-	BE 62
	108	-	BE 66	191	-	Op(AJ 33)	440	-	BD 22	592	-	Op(AK 19)
	117	-	BE 98	195	-	BD 39	441	-	BD 22	594	-	Op(AK 46)
	123	-	EK 74	196	-	DG 66	455	-	Op(DJ 20)	598	-	Op(AK 03)
	124	-	CF 69	197	-	AO	462	-	BF 71	610	-	BD 22
	126	-	DT 56	198	-	DT 87	463	-	BD 22	613	-	BD 25
	129	-	DD 91	203	-	BF 54	487	-	AE 59	615	-	Op(AJ 92)
	134	-	Op(AK 36)	229	-	AK 18	506	-	FO 69	618	-	Op(AK 66)
	154	-	DT 83	257	-	Op(AJ 59)	509	-	Op(GJ 70)	630	-	Op(AK 17)
	155	-	Op(DM 20)	258	-	BF 72	510	-	DG 58	631	-	Op(AK 38)
	159	-	Op(EJ 20)	260	-	Op(AK 19)	513	-	Op(DH 95)	632	-	Op(AK 43)
	160	-	FU 27	267	-	AK 77	515	-	DT 96	635	-	Op(AK 17)
	161	-	Op(CB 19)	270	-	AK 39	516	-	Op(GJ 40)	641	-	BE 19
	167	-	Op(DH 96)	303	-	BF 71	518	-	ER 29	642	-	BE 61
	168	-	Op(AK 15)	305	-	AK 86	523	-	BD 22	648	-	AO
	172	-	DG 58	306	-	Op(AK 63)	526	-	BD 22	662	-	BD 34
	174	-	BD 79	333	-	BD 22	527	-	BD 22	663	-	BF 52
	177	-	BF 72	336	-	BD 22	530	-	Op(AK 46)	666	-	BD 22
	178	-	CF 68	373	-	BD 22	532	-	AE 79	704	-	AF 76
										706	-	Op(AK 17)

	On Return Passage: U 67 - 84 - 86 - 106 - 160 - 172 - 182 - 229 - 305 - 333 - 336 - 373 - 409 - 440 - 441 - 506 - 510 - 518 - 523 - 526 - 527 - 590 - 591 - 610 - 618 - 641 - 642 - 663 - 666 - 704.
	Entered Port: U 663 - Brest;U 106 - Lorient.
	Sailed: U 552 - Brest.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 24 see IV a.
		2)	U 71 reported large vessel with two funnels in BE 4485, course 240 - 250⁰. Pursuit unsuccessful owing to enemy speed being too high (20 knots). Further U 564

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			reported in AK 0142 single vessel with course 150⁰. The boat was ordered to sink it, if there was no possible confusion with own homeward-bound vessel ("Irene" or "Karin"). No further reports.
		3)	U 167 dived six times, in view of aircraft, during 4th April in the area between the Canaries and the mainland. Traffic was not established.
		4)	U 156 patrolled up and down from 24th March to 3rd April from GH 60 to FW 50 and 40 but sighted nothing apart from a small coastal steamer in FW 5835. Return owing to fuel shortage. Still 8 plus 5 torpedoes.
	b) -	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 24:
		As regards American U-boats, several U-boats were expected to be taking up disposition on the 31st March in the area 300 miles S.E. of Cape Farwell. Since it was assumed that the stated position constituted about the center of the presumed disposition, and the expected convoy would probably divert to the N, Group "Löwenherz" was ordered to take up a patrol line further N. However, before the order could be carried out, U 530 sighted at 1224 the expected HX 229 convoy in AK 4645 with course 60⁰. In addition to "Löwenherz" U 270, coming from home waters, was sent in to operate. U 415 - 134 - 598 - 306 - 631, in AK 30 and 60, being so low in fuel were given permission to operate according to their position and fuel supplies. The weather situation in the area of the convoy was favorable for approach by boats of Group "Löwenherz" there being a moderate S. wind. According to dead reckoning, all the boats of the Group would be able to come up to the convoy in the first night. In the course of the night the boats reported wind S.W. 5, sea 4.
		A further 5 boats approached the convoy on the first day, apart from U 530 and 2 further ones in the first night, so that in all 8 boats were up to the convoy in the course of the first day and night.
		Several boats reported star shells over the convoy during the night.
		There was no air cover with the convoy on the first day. No reports were received on naval escort and the strength and composition of the convoy. The convoy was proceeding on a mean course of 20⁰ and according to dead reckoning, at a speed of 8.3 knots. U 572 reported having to dive in view of a destroyer and being rammed in the attack.
		The following sinkings were reported:
		U 229 - single vessel type Glenearn, 9,800 GRT, sunk in AK 0193.

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		U 635 - 2 steamers, together 13,000 GRT, sunk in AK 0117.
		The operation on the convoy will be continued. At 0900 on the 5th it was in AK 1859.
	b)	1)	U 455 will take up position for operations, in the area of the Canary Islands, in DH 9180 and 90, 9270 and 80, 9420 and 30, 9510 and 20. In this area further unescorted traffic and small convoys may be expected.
		2)	U 267 will not, as expected, operate against Convoy No. 24, but will take up temporary operational position in AJ 96.
		3)	U 409 returning via BE 71 and will there take over MG C 38 from vessel outward bound.
	c)	The improvement in weather has led to refueling being quickly effected. U 333 - 336 - 440 - 666 - 373 - 590 - 541 - 527 and 526 refueled from "Wolfbauer" for return.
	d)	As from midnight on the 5th April the 200 mile wide strip will be moved to the N. of Route A in view of the vessel "Irene" which is expected home. The middle line of the strip will then run from BD 78 to AK 13. Attack on unescorted single vessels is forbidden in this area until further notice.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 229 - 1 ship 9,800 GRT
	U 635 - 2 ships 13,000 GRT

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5.April 1943.

I.	U 67	-	DH 54	U 181	-	DT 95	U 404	-	BD 21	U 563	-	Op(AK 16)
	68	-	Op(DP 40)	182	-	KZ 66	409	-	BD 12	564	-	Op(AK 01)
	71	-	BD 65	183	-	Op(DM 70)	413	-	BE 45	571	-	BD 13
	84	-	Op(AJ 91)	185	-	Op(DM 90)	414	-	CG 14	572	-	Op(AK 16)
	86	-	BD 22	188	-	Op(AJ 58)	415	-	AK 61	584	-	Op(AK 29)
	105	-	ET 14	189	-	AN 36	438	-	BE 54	590	-	BE 11
	108	-	BE 64	191	-	Op(AK 29)	440	-	BE 14	591	-	BE 41
	117	-	CG 17	195	-	BD 66	441	-	BD 33	592	-	Op(AK 92)
	123	-	ET 15	196	-	DG 96	455	-	DM 39	594	-	Op(AK 16)
	124	-	CG 70	197	-	AN 36	462	-	BE 67	598	-	Op(AK 33)
	126	-	DT 94	198	-	EJ 15	463	-	BD 22	610	-	BD 22
	129	-	DD 54	203	-	BF 45	487	-	AE 81	613	-	BD 13
	134	-	Op(AK 37)	229	-	Op(AK 01)	506	-	EO 61	615	-	Op(AJ 92)
	154	-	DT 97	257	-	Op(AJ 59)	509	-	Op(GJ 70)	618	-	Op(AK 66)
	155	-	Op(DM 20)	258	-	BE 92	510	-	DG 57	630	-	Op(AK 27)
	159	-	Op(EJ 22)	260	-	Op(AK 01)	513	-	Op(DH 95)	631	-	Op(AK 37)
	160	-	FU 12	267	-	Op(AJ 96)	515	-	FJ 33	632	-	Op(AK 92)
	161	-	CA 30	270	-	Op(AK 29)	516	-	FV 66	635	-	Op(AK 18)
	167	-	Op(DH 96)	303	-	CG 12	518	-	EH 97	641	-	BE 28
	168	-	Op(AK 29)	305	-	BD 22	523	-	BD 22	642	-	BE 66
	172	-	DG 57	306	-	Op(AK 63)	526	-	BD 23	648	-	AN 36
	174	-	BD 78	333	-	BE 11	527	-	BE 11	662	-	BD 21
	177	-	BE 99	336	-	BE 11	530	-	Op(AK 25)	666	-	BE 15
	178	-	CF 98	373	-	BD 22	532	-	AL 21	704	-	AF 24
	180	-	CQ 24	381	-	BE 55	552	-	BF 58	706	-	Op(AK 29)


- 226 -

	On Return Passage: U 67 - 84 - 86 - 160 - 172 - 182 - 229 - 305 - 333 - 336 - 373 - 409 - 415 - 440 - 441 - 506 - 510 - 516 - 518 - 523 - 526 - 527 - 590 - 591 - 610 - 618 - 641 - 642 - 666 - 704.
	Entered Port: - . -
	Sailed: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 24 - see IV a.
		2)	In the course of rendezvous with the homeward-bound "Irene" U 174 sighted in BD 7879 a large vessel with two funnels, course 270⁰. Contact was lost owing to superior speed. Boat returned to point of rendezvous.
		3)	U 487 (U-tanker) coming from home waters reported convoy course 80, in AL 22. According to dead reckoning this was SC 124. U 487 withdrew and proceeded to position ordered.
		4)	U 438 shot down a British aircraft in BE 34.
		5)	U 610 situation: Has, since 26th March, searched area GH 89 over GH 52 to GJ 19 to 84. Apart from Argentinean vessel in GQ 3262 nothing sighted. Extensive fog under the coast. The boat is returning.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sighted or confirmed CC 2897 - FJ 9132 - DM 2683 - AK 0259 - AK 26 and two further sightings in unknown position. British aircraft reported depth-charge hit on U-boat in BE 1514 (U 527). Several SSS reports from Convoy No. 24.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 24:
		The weather situation in the area of the convoy on the morning of the 5th was wind N.W. 2, sea 3 with good visibility. In the night of the 5th - 6th, it freshened to wind S.S.E. 5 and sea 4. Visibility became increasingly poor and, towards morning, was only 3 miles.
		Contact was reported at 0900 by U 260 in AK 1859. The boat maintained contact until 1600 and then was forced to submerge by a ship's aircraft and subsequently by a Sunderland, having to remain underwater until 2100. Apart from this boat, 5 further ones approached the convoy during the day. Towards midnight contact with the convoy was lost. The convoy was not detected again until 0800; by U 270 in AK 3726.

- 227 -

Towards midday of the 5th the convoy changed course sharply to the E, and then proceeded with easterly course on to the North Channel. It was confirmed that part of the steamers had been separated from the convoy after the first attack in the night 4th - 5th, and were proceeding to the North Channel by themselves. 5 single vessels were reported by the boats.

Towards afternoon on the 5th air cover appeared over the convoy for the first time and ships' aircraft and flying boats were reported by the boats. According to reports on the escort it does not appear as if this is excessively strong. One boat reported being discovered by a destroyer with searchlights and depth charged.

U 229, 564, 572 and 134 have reported breaking-off operations up to now. 16 boats are still operating on the convoy.

		Assumed
Boat	Report	Sunk:	Torpedoed:

U 630	At 0158 in AK 0114 6,000 GRT tanker and a further ship torpedoed. Noises of sinking heard.	1/6,000	1 hit
U 563	At 1145 hit on 7,000 GRT tanker in AK 1931		1 hit
U 706	At 1615 in AK 2722 8,000 GRT of a convoy sunk	1/8,000
U 632	At 0136 in AK 0354 Type Nardana 8,000 GRT sunk	1/8,000
U 530	At 2200 in AK 2521 9,000 GRT tanker sunk	1/9,000

	4 ships totaling 31,000 GRT sunk
	2 hits on further ships.

The operation on the convoy which was reported at 0800 on 6th in AK 3726, will be continued.

As from the 6th April a convoy is expected to leave Freetown, according to the known schedule. Boats U 123 and 105 which are in the vicinity will take up position in ET 21 and 24, also 13 and 16 in order to intercept the convoy.

U 188 - 257 - 84 - 615 - 267 - 404 - 662 - 571 and 613, constituting Group "Adler" will be in reconnaissance patrol at 0800 on the 7th April from AJ 5693 to AK 7174 course 210, day's run 100 miles. According to dead reckoning an SC convoy may be expected in that area as from 7th April.

U 510 took over reserve fuel from U 172. Both boats proceeded home with 39 or 41 cbm fuel. Further U 305 refueled from U 463 for return passage.

- 228 -

None.

Reports of Success:

U 630	1 ship	6,000 GRT	1 hit
U 563	1 ship	7,000
U 706	1 ship	8,000
U 632	1 ship	8,000
U 530	1 ship	9,000
U 438	1 aircraft

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

6.April 1943.

I.	U 67	-	DH 25	U 181	-	EJ 35	U 404	-	AK 79	U 563	-	Op(AK 37)
	68	-	Op(DP 40)	182	-	KZ 59	409	-	BD 52	564	-	Op(AK 37)
	71	-	BD 53	183	-	Op(DM 70)	413	-	BE 41	571	-	AK 78
	84	-	Op(AJ 67)	185	-	Op(DM 90)	414	-	CG 48	572	-	AK 26
	86	-	BD 22	188	-	Op(AJ 67)	415	-	AK 91	584	-	Op(AK 37)
	105	-	Op(ET 10)	189	-	AN 31	438	-	BE 54	590	-	BE 24
	108	-	BE 82	191	-	Op(AK 37)	440	-	BE 27	591	-	BF 58
	117	-	CG 47	195	-	BD 96	441	-	BE 19	592	-	Op(AK 26)
	123	-	Op(ET 24)	196	-	DT 21	455	-	DH 68	594	-	Op(AK 37)
	124	-	CG 70	197	-	AN 31	462	-	BE 57	598	-	Op(AK 35)
	126	-	EJ 34	198	-	EJ 38	463	-	BD 22	610	-	BD 22
	129	-	DD 18	203	-	BE 65	487	-	AL 21	613	-	AK 75
	134	-	Op(AK 37)	229	-	AK 59	506	-	FO 25	615	-	Op(AJ 92)
	154	-	EJ 37	257	-	Op(AK 37)	509	-	Op(GJ 40)	618	-	AK 94
	155	-	Op(DM 20)	258	-	BE 83	510	-	DG 53	630	-	Op(AK 37)
	159	-	Op(EJ 20)	260	-	Op(AK 37)	513	-	DH 69	631	-	Op(AK 35)
	160	-	GH 64	267	-	Op(AJ 92)	515	-	Op(EK 40)	632	-	Op(AK 37)
	161	-	Op(CA 39)	270	-	Op(AK 37)	516	-	FV 61	635	-	Op(AK 37)
	167	-	Op(DH 96)	303	-	CG 45	518	-	EH 67	641	-	BE 61
	168	-	Op(AK 37)	305	-	BD 22	523	-	BD 22	642	-	BF 45
	172	-	DG 58	306	-	Op(AK 35)	526	-	BE 16	648	-	AN 31
	174	-	BD 78	333	-	BE 27	527	-	BE 16	662	-	AK 75
	177	-	CF 39	336	-	BE 28	530	-	Op(AK 37)	666	-	BE 24
	178	-	DH 28	373	-	BE 19	532	-	AK 34	704	-	Bergen
	180	-	GQ 53	381	-	BE 46	552	-	BF 48	706	-	Op(AK 37)

	On Return Passage: U 67 - 84 - 86 - 134 - 160 - 172 - 182 - 229 - 305 - 333 - 336 - 373 - 409 - 415 - 440 - 441 - 506 - 510 - 513 - 516 - 518 - 523 - 526 - 527 - 564 - 590 - 591 - 610 - 618 - 641 - 642 - 666 - 704.
	Entered Port: - . -
	Sailed: U 128 - 176 - Lorient;U 376 - 262 - La Pallice; U 209 - Kiel.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 24 see IVa.
		2)	U 509 situation: Contact on the 26th March in GR 5341 with 5 steamers on westerly course; forced to submerge

- 229 -

			continuously by locating aircraft. During subsequent night cruise on 100 meter line 2 steamers and 2 escorts, course 160⁰, sighted in GJ 8144 on the 2nd April. Four-fan torpedo fired in the fog according to hydrophone, a detonation heard (torpedoing confirmed by intercept message). On 5th April in GJ 4312 two-fan misfire on escort. Whale Bay empty on the 6th April.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sightings: DM 5115, DN 76, DE 18 a further 3 boats with Convoy No. 24.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 24:
		The weather situation in the area of the convoy on afternoon of the 6th was wind W.S.W. 5, misty. Visibility in the course of the night 6-7th was at times very low up to 1 mile.
		There were no further reports after U 270 had again reported the convoy, with course 90⁰, at 0800 in AK 3726. It was not until the evening that U 632 reported the convoy to be approximately in AK 3865 and that she had observed continuous air cover. During the night U 563 reported four hydrophone fixes, probably on part of a convoy, according to the last report in AL 2598. U 260 also reported towards 0600 that she had maintained contact for four hours with the convoy by means of hydrophone fixes; she reported its position as AL 1888. Further reports on the convoy have not been received.
		During the day of the 6th there was constant air cover over and in the vicinity of the convoy, so that the boats presumably could not approach.
		The boats were instructed for the night of 6 - 7th to attempt to overtake the enemy during hours of darkness, in order to be ahead of the convoy on the morning of the 7th for daylight attacks. Control assumes that the convoy will make for the Channel with course 100⁰, passing to the S. of the Rockall Bank.
		Sinkings: U 632 reported that she had fired on a destroyer approximately in AK 3865 with Pi 2 and heard noises of sinking. U 270, at 0142 in AK 2838, fired two single shots each on a 4,000 GRT and a 6,000 GRT ship and heard two hits. One 4,000 GRT ship assumed sunk.
		The operation against the convoy is to be broken off on the evening of the 7th. 8 boats are still operating.
	b)	1)	U 195 will proceed to square GR for operations in the Cape Town area.
		2)	U 518 will proceed to DH 44 for refueling from U 117.
	c)	None.
	d)	1)	U 174 met the homeward-bound vessel "Irene" at the rendezvous

- 230 -

ordered and reported as instructed. The boat proceeded westward for operations in the American area.

After leaving the Bay of Biscay U 124 operated against a convoy bound for Gibraltar and reported it for the last time on the 2nd April in CF 3652. Since there were no other boats in the vicinity, U 124 was ordered not to send in further reports on contacts. Later orders to report her position were not answered. She must be considered lost. There is no information from any sighting or operational report.

Reports of Success:

U 509	1 destroyer		1 hit
U 632	1 ship	4,000 GRT
U 270	1 ship	6,000 GRT	torpedoed.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

7.April 1943.

I.	U 67	-	CF 98	U 181	-	EJ 66	U 376	-	BF 91	U 552	-	BE 69
	68	-	Op(DP 40)	182	-	KZ 81	381	-	BE 41	563	-	Op(AL 27)
	71	-	BD 27	183	-	Op(DM 70)	404	-	Op(AJ 92)	564	-	AK 63
	84	-	Op(AJ)	185	-	Op(DM 90)	409	-	BD 65	571	-	Op(AJ 93)
	86	-	BD 22	188	-	Op(AJ 56)	413	-	BD 38	572	-	AK 15
	105	-	Op(ET 16)	189	-	AF 87	414	-	CG 81	584	-	Op(AL 27)
	108	-	BE 48	191	-	Op(AL 27)	415	-	BD 22	590	-	BE 29
	117	-	DJ 11	195	-	CF 27	438	-	BE 41	591	-	BF 64
	123	-	Op(ET 24)	196	-	DT 52	440	-	BE 29	592	-	AL 18
	126	-	EJ (61)	197	-	AF 87	441	-	BE 28	594	-	AK 28
	128	-	BF 54	198	-	EJ 68	455	-	Op(DH 92)	598	-	Op(AL 27)
	129	-	DC 36	203	-	BE 56	462	-	BD 34	610	-	BD 22
	134	-	AK 02	209	-	AO	463	-	BD 22	613	-	Op(AK 71)
	154	-	EJ 65	229	-	AK 89	487	-	AL 16	615	-	Op(AJ 68)
	155	-	Op(DM 24)	257	-	Op(AJ 65)	506	-	FG 89	618	-	BD 22
	159	-	Op(EJ 20)	258	-	BE 49	509	-	Op(GJ 40)	630	-	Op(AL 27)
	160	-	GH 51	260	-	Op(AL 27)	510	-	DG 34	631	-	Op(AL 27)
	161	-	CA 30	262	-	BF 91	513	-	DH 39	632	-	Op(AL 27)
	167	-	Op(DH 96)	267	-	Op(AJ 67)	515	-	Op(EK 40)	635	-	Op(AL 27)
	168	-	Op(AL 27)	270	-	Op(AL 27)	516	-	FP 22	641	-	BF 44
	172	-	DG 35	303	-	CG 81	518	-	EH 38	642	-	BF 58
	174	-	BD 78	305	-	BD 36	523	-	BD 22	648	-	AF 87
	176	-	BF 54	306	-	Op(AL 17)	526	-	BE 28	662	-	Op(AK 93)
	177	-	CF 69	333	-	BE 61	527	-	BE 29	666	-	BE 29
	178	-	DH 58	336	-	BE 61	530	-	Op(AL 27)	704	-	AN 35
	180	-	GQ 65	373	-	BE 28	532	-	Op(AL 27)	706	-	Op(AL 19)

	On Return Passage: U 67 - 84 - 86 - 134 - 160 - 172 - 182 - 229 - 305 - 333 - 336 - 373 - 409 - 415 - 440 - 441 - 506 - 509 - 510 - 513 - 516 - 518 - 523 - 526 - 527 - 564 - 590 - 591 - 610 - 618 - 641 - 642 - 666 - 704.
	Entered Port: U 591 - St. Nazaire.
	Sailed: U 465 - Lorient.

- 231 -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 24 see IVa.
		2)	At 1520 U 257 in the patrol line of Group "Adler" sighted a destroyer with course N. in AJ 6745. Since according to dead reckoning, convoy SC 125 is expected today, Control presumed the convoy to be in the vicinity. The three most northerly boats, U 188 - 257 - 84 were sent in to operate. Orders for the remaining boats were course N. and speed 8 knots. Visibility in this area was unfortunately only 2 miles. U 188 was forced by destroyers or sub-chasers type PC 451 to submerge several times in AJ 5930. By evening the convoy had not been sighted. A patrol line was ordered from AJ 2973 to AK 4415 for 1000 on the 8th April in order to have the Group ahead of the convoy at daylight the next morning. There have been no further reports.
		3)	U 409 reported from prohibited sector of Route A, in BD 6599, an unescorted vessel with course N. The boat requested permission to attack. Since the positions of some German vessels homeward-bound are not certain at present, she was ordered to pursue the vessel to the outside of the route and then to put about. As the enemy speed was 17 - 18 knots the boat, however, soon lost contact. She reported the vessel as type "Tannenfels". Later this was sighted again, by U 258, with course 25⁰. This boat fired a two-fan torpedo which failed in BE 4134, contact then being finally lost.
		4)	U 185 was in position EC 13 and DN 76 from 1st - 5th April and only encountered coastal traffic and patrols in varying strength. She sank a freighter of 5,000 GRT on the 6th April in the Windward Passage, out of a small convoy with north-easterly course. Boat also reported that the magic eye still indicates location when this can no longer be detected by acoustic means.
		5)	U 172 was attacked in GF 7874 by 2 aircraft located coming out of the sun. She remained surfaced and successfully fought off the attack with all her guns. No damage.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sightings: DM 26, DE 43, DN 8189, AL 0395, EP 7272, DD 36.
		Also several sightings with no position stated, but probably in the North Atlantic.
	d)	According to a special intercept message received towards evening convoy SC 125 received orders on the 2nd April to proceed via BC 5963. Position on the 3rd April stated to be BC 7284, course 73. According to this, the escort vessels detected by Group "Adler" could hardly have been any of SC 125.

- 232 -

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 24:
		No further reports were received on the 7th regarding the convoy.Two single destroyers were reported, in AL 28, only. Since the air cover in the coastal area was very strong and boats were continually bombed, the operation was broken off on the evening of the 7th.
		Final Survey - Convoy No. 24:
		The operation against the HX convoy lasted from 4th to 7th April 1943 and extended over a distance of 700 miles.
		20 boats in all operated against the convoy, 4 of which probably failed to come up to it owing to shortage of fuel. The Commanding Officers of the boats in operation here were, for the most part, on their first operation.
		After the convoy was detected at midday on the 4th, it was anticipated, in view of the favorable position of boats of Group "Löwenherz", that all boats would come up to the convoy during the first night. During the first day and night, also, 8 boats contacted the convoy. In spite of this, very little success was achieved in this first night. This was probably due primarily to the inexperience of the young Commanding Officers.
		After the first attack during this night part of the ships straggled from the convoy and it was possible to sink three. The convoy itself was reported on, with breaks, until the evening of the 6th but only by 1 - 2 boats. It is assumed that the other boats were only able to advance with difficulty in view of air defence becoming increasingly stronger.
		Numerous boats were bombed and some of them were unable to carry on further operations owing to damage sustained on the evening of the 7th, the operation was broken off since the boats were threatened by aircraft to an ever increasing degree in the proximity of the coast.
		In all, 8 ships, constituting 58,000 GRT, were sunk, of these 5 ships being from the convoy, also one destroyer. A further 3 ships were torpedoed.
		2 boats were probably lost on operations against the convoy, i.e. U 632 and 636. It is to be assumed that the boats were lost as a result of aircraft bombs. A further 5 boats were heavily damaged by aircraft bombs or by depth charges.
	b)	1)	U 129 has been given freedom of action in the area around Hatteras as well as N. and S. of it. There has been no information on the traffic situation, but small N.S.-bound convoys may be expected near the Cape.
		2)	U 455 - 515 - 105 and 123 may withdraw from the ordered operational areas if enemy defence is too strong.

- 233 -

	c)	First supply rendezvous for tanker U 487, coming from home waters will be in BD 16.
	d)	1)	In view of the inward passage of "Irene" Sectors A and D in Route A will be prohibited as from now until further notice. Therefore, attacks on unescorted vessels are prohibited on the whole of Route A. The moving of the eastern boundary in Sector D by 200 miles to the E. remains in force.
		2)	The area S. of 56⁰ N., in the 200 miles wide strip N. of Route A, is open.
		3)	According to a report from the Attache Group, about 50 Germans have landed on the Canaries. These are the crew of 167 which was so badly damaged by a British aircraft in DH 96 that the Commanding Officer had to scuttle the boat. The whole crew was rescued.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 185 - 1 ship 5,500 GRT

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

8.April 1943.

I.	U 67	-	CF 95	U 182	-	KZ 74	U 381	-	BD 38	U 552	-	BE 64
	68	-	DP 40	183	-	Op(DM 70)	404	-	Op(AJ)	563	-	Op(AL 37)
	71	-	BD 12	185	-	DN 91	409	-	BE 45	564	-	AL 48
	84	-	Op(AJ 61)	188	-	Op(AJ 29)	413	-	BD 34	571	-	Op(AJ 69)
	86	-	BD 22	189	-	AF 73	414	-	CG 94	572	-	AK 29
	105	-	Op(ET 16)	191	-	Op(AL 37)	415	-	BD 22	584	-	Op(AL 28)
	108	-	BD 66	195	-	CF 57	438	-	BD 38	590	-	BE 62
	117	-	DJ 24	196	-	DT 82	440	-	BE 62	592	-	AL 54
	123	-	Op(ET 24)	197	-	AF 73	441	-	BE 65	594	-	AK 66
	126	-	EJ 92	198	-	EJ 88	455	-	Op(DH 95)	598	-	AK 66
	128	-	BF 48	203	-	BE 55	462	-	BD 34	610	-	BD 22
	129	-	DC 31	209	-	AN 36	463	-	BD 22	613	-	Op(AJ 69)
	134	-	AK 59	229	-	BD 22	465	-	BF 54	615	-	Op(AJ 65)
	154	-	EJ 99	257	-	Op(AJ 61)	487	-	AL 45	618	-	BD 22
	155	-	DM 20 Op.	258	-	BD 63	506	-	FG 76	630	-	Op(AL 39)
	159	-	Op(EJ 20)	260	-	Op(AL 01)	509	-	FW 84	631	-	AK 91
	160	-	GR 14	262	-	BF 82	510	-	CF 75	632	-	Op(AL 02)
	161	-	Op(CB 38)	267	-	Op(AJ 65)	513	-	CG 78	635	-	Op(AL 02)
	168	-	Op(AL 28)	270	-	Op(AL 39)	515	-	Op(EK 40)	641	-	BF 46
	172	-	CF 75	303	-	CG 94	516	-	FO 84	642	-	BF 64
	174	-	BC 97	305	-	BE 28	518	-	DS 99	648	-	AF 73
	176	-	BF 48	306	-	AK 66	523	-	BD 22	662	-	Op(AJ 66)
	177	-	CF 54	333	-	BE 63	526	-	BE 62	666	-	BE 62
	178	-	DH 84	336	-	BE 63	527	-	BE 62	704	-	AO 40
	180	-	GR 71	373	-	BE 65	530	-	Op(AL 03)	706	-	AK 39
	181	-	EJ 96	376	-	BF 81	532	-	Op(AL 27)

	On Return Passage: U 67 - 84 - 86 - 134 - 160 - 172 - 182 - 229 - 305 - 306 - 333 - 336 - 373 - 409 - 415 - 440 - 441 - 506 - 509 - 510 - 513 - 516 - 518 - 523 - 526 - 527 - 564 - 572 - 590 - 592 - 598 - 610 - 618 - 631 - 641 - 642 - 666 - 704.
	Entered Port: U 642 - Lorient.

- 234 -

	Sailed: U 628 - Brest; U 382 - Lorient; U 264 - St. NAzaire; U 954 - 732 - Kiel.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: Western Bay of Biscay.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 203 sighted in BE 1689 a large vessel type "Queen Elizabeth" course S.W.; contact lost in view of excessive speed.
		2)	In AL 2875 U 168 successfully fought off an attacking Sunderland with MG and scored several hits.
		3)	In DM 4288 U 155 sank a freighter of 3,000 GRT, course 240⁰ and in DM 2883 a tanker type "Andalusia", course 60⁰. Also one tanker each sighted in DM 1117 and DB 8735. During the day strong air cover, several airships. Return passage via DO 10 intended.
		4)	U 123 sighted on 4th April a large passenger steamer in EJ 9598, course 290⁰, speed 20 knots, on 6th April aircraft in ET 2145, neutral vessels in ET 1363, course 305⁰, and 2 silhouettes in ET 2167.
	b)	Our own aircraft sighted at 1500 in BE 9485 3 merchant vessels and 3 escorts, course 30⁰ medium speed.
	c)	U-boats confirmed in CA 8788 and DC 13. SSS message by French steamer "Bamako" (2,357 GRT) from EK 4633.
	d)	According to a special intercept message, the position of convoy SC 125 on the 6th April was BC 3536, course 55⁰ and speed 8.5 knots.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	None.
	b)	1)	No further reports of sighting have been received from Group "Alder". Convoy SC 125 suspected there was, according to reliable special intercept data, further to the S. and can no longer be reached by the Group. Control has now decided on operations against the HX convoy, awaited according to dead reckoning on the 11th April, and has given the following order: U 188 - 257 - 84 - 615 - 267 - 404 - 662 - 571 - 613 - 71 - 108 - 258 - 413 - 438 - 381 and 618, constituting Group "Alder", will take up reconnaissance patrol at 0800 on the 11th April from AK 7257 to BD 1959, course 225⁰, day's run 100 miles. This patrol extends over an area of 300 miles.
		2)	After breaking off of operation against Convoy No. 24, the boats which are still operational will proceed to take up a new patrol line AK 85.
		3)	The convoy which according to dead reckoning left Freetown on the 6th April, was not intercepted by the two boats there. The following operational areas are ordered: U 105 - FE 30 and FF 10, U 126 - EU 80 and FF 20, U 154 - FF 40 and 70, U 123 will operate in the sector off Freetown ordered on

- 235 -

			the 30th March. Since the individual areas are very large, results will have to be awaited. According to special intercept data and other reports, single vessels may be expected proceeding from N.W. to S.E.
		4)	U 159 which is no longer operational owing to extensive damage will be ordered to DG 69 and will rendezvous there with U 455. It is intended to pick up the crew of U 167 from the Canaries with U 455 and to transport them home later, some on each of these two boats.
		5)	U 552 - 262 and 465 will proceed to AK 88 for operations against the HX convoy expected on the 11th April.
	c)	1)	In order to obtain data on ice conditions in the Straits of Denmark U 189 has been ordered to proceed to AE 22 at increased cruising speed and, after reaching the ice boundary, to proceed along this to the W. and report. The boat is prohibited from attacks on unescorted vessels.
		2)	U 463 refueled U 523, 610 and 86 for return and U 618 for further operations. The tanker is now empty and will proceed home.
	d)	None.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 155 - 2 ships 12,000 GRT

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

9.April 1943.

I.	U 67	-	CG 66	U 183	-	Op(DM 70)	U 382	-	BF 54	U 563	-	AL 29
	68	-	DP 40	185	-	DN 69	404	-	Op(AK 71)	564	-	AL 82
	71	-	Op(BD 12)	188	-	Op(AK 65)	409	-	BE 54	571	-	Op(AK 72)
	84	-	Op(AK 69)	189	-	AE 66	413	-	BD 34	572	-	AK 64
	86	-	BD 34	191	-	AL 41	414	-	CG 90	584	-	AL 01
	105	-	Op(ET 54)	195	-	CF 87	415	-	BD 24	590	-	BF 45
	108	-	BD 61	196	-	EJ 23	438	-	BD 34	592	-	AL 82
	117	-	DJ 20	197	-	AF 47	440	-	BF 58	594	-	BD 33
	123	-	ET 16	198	-	ES 38	441	-	BF 44	598	-	AK 92
	126	-	ET 11	203	-	BE 15	455	-	Op(DH 90)	610	-	AK 89
	128	-	BE 69	209	-	AN 31	462	-	Op(BD 34)	613	-	Op(AK 72)
	129	-	Op(CA 88)	229	-	BD 34	463	-	BD 32	615	-	Op(AK 69)
	134	-	AK 89	257	-	Op(AK 69)	465	-	BF 49	618	-	Op(BD 19)
	154	-	ET 17	258	-	BD 37	487	-	AK 93	628	-	BF 54
	155	-	Op(DC 79)	260	-	AL 45	506	-	FF 93	630	-	AL 42
	159	-	EJ 21	262	-	BF 72	509	-	FW 72	631	-	AK 97
	160	-	FP 87	264	-	BF 58	510	-	CF 57	632	-	AL 42
	161	-	Op(CA 30)	267	-	Op(AK 69)	513	-	CF 69	635	-	AL 42
	168	-	AL 29	270	-	AL 29	515	-	Op(EK 40)	641	-	BF 40
	172	-	CF 57	303	-	CG 90	516	-	FO 47	648	-	AF 47
	174	-	BC 87	305	-	BE 61	518	-	DT 47	662	-	Op(AK 71)
	176	-	BE 93	306	-	AK 92	523	-	BD 34	666	-	BF 58
	177	-	DH 25	333	-	BF 45	526	-	BF 44	704	-	AO
	178	-	DT 36	336	-	BF 45	527	-	BF 44	706	-	AK 39
	180	-	GR 84	373	-	BF 45	530	-	AL 52	732	-	AO
	181	-	ES 36	376	-	BF 72	532	-	AK 03	954	-	AO
	182	-	KY 94	381	-	BD 34	552	-	BE 55


- 236 -

	On Return Passage: U 67 - 84 - 86 - 134 - 159 - 160 - 172 - 182 - 229 - 305 - 306 - 333 - 336 - 373 - 409 - 415 - 440 - 441 - 463 - 506 - 509 - 510 - 513 - 516 - 518 - 523 - 526 - 527 - 564 - 572 - 590 - 592 - 594 - 598 - 610 - 618 - 631 - 641 - 666 - 704.
	Entered Port: - . -
	Sailed: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: Western Bay of Biscay.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 168 submerged in AL 1931 in view of destroyers and established by hydrophone a small, very fast unit, escorted by several destroyers, course E.N.E. Pursuit hopeless.
		2)	U 662 reported from AK 4781 hydrophone fix in 320⁰. Since search was unsuccessful the boat proceeded to patrol line.
		3)	U 183 situation: On the 29th March in DL 69 single vessel sighted with air and sea escort, course 100. Nothing sighted since 31st March from DL 68 - 94 - EA 31 - 29 - 37 to EB 14 and 37. Air activity by air. Return owing to fuel shortage.
		4)	U 516 confirmed heavy corrosions on pressure hull at the level of battery compartment 2. She is able to dive only slight depths, and is returning at increased speed.
	b)	Our own aircraft reported at 1200 a unit of 4 merchant ships and 2 escorts in BE 6219, course 0⁰, medium speed.
	c)	1)	U-boat sighted or established in: EO 65, CA 85, ED 99, CA 8466. Aircraft attack on U-boat approximately BF 1840. No German boat in the vicinity. Position not definite.
		2)	Report of torpedoing from unknown position.
		3)	American aircraft ordered at 1150 to attack enemy U-boat in minefield off Fedala (U 117).

IV.	Current Operations:
	a) -	b)	None.
	c)	U 86 took over spare parts from U 462 and returned.
	d)	1)	U 128 - 376 - 91 - 262, outward-bound, were to be disposed in BE 8335 - 9134 - 9226 and 9795 as a wing formation for the homeward-bound vessel "Irene". Boats were to remain submerged if possible and at once report any enemy forces sighted.
			On the personal orders of the Naval High Command, the above mentioned boats were later sent at maximum speed to meet the homeward-bound vessel, in order to take over in close escort complete flak defence and defence against surface ships. "Irene" was to proceed with course 86⁰ to

- 237 -

			BE 9527 and there be met at 1800 by 4 destroyers which had previously escorted the "Himalaya" out. In view of several reports by our own aircraft of enemy forces sighted (cruisers, destroyers), Group West decided to escort the "Himalaya" back with destroyers and order "Irene" to proceed to Vigo.
			U-boats will now operate on a new course and the rendezvous according to dead reckoning. They will wait there for about 2 hours and then proceed to Vigo with searching courses. Rendezvous with the ship will take place at the earliest in the course of the morning, approximately in BE 8640.
		2)	U 653 and 632 operated against Convoy No. 24 and reported this at 0910 on the 5th April in AK 1852 and at 1710 on the 6th April in AL 3851. Both boats still had contact with the convoy. Since there were no more reports after this, they were ordered several times to give their position but without result. They must, therefore, be considered lost. There is no information as to whether this was due to convoy escort units or to aircraft.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

10.April 1943.

I.	U 67	-	CG 17	U 182	-	GR 99	U 376	-	Op(BE 91)	U 530	-	AL 45
	68	-	Op(DP 40)	183	-	Op(GM 70)	381	-	BD 34	532	-	AK 65
	71	-	Op(BD 12)	185	-	DO 46	382	-	BF 48	552	-	BE 28
	84	-	Op(AK 74)	188	-	Op(AK 72)	404	-	Op(AK 79)	563	-	AL 41
	86	-	BD 34	189	-	AE 26	409	-	BE 59	564	-	AL 98
	105	-	Op(ET 83)	191	-	AK 67	413	-	Op(BD 16)	571	-	Op(AK 79)
	108	-	BD 28	195	-	DH 18	414	-	CG 90	572	-	AL 71
	117	-	DJ 20	196	-	EJ 37	415	-	BD 34	584	-	AK 66
	123	-	Op(ET 28)	197	-	AE 68	438	-	BD 34	590	-	BF 49
	126	-	Op(ET 42)	198	-	ES 69	440	-	BF 58	592	-	AL 98
	128	-	Op(BE 83)	203	-	BD 36	441	-	BF 51	594	-	BE 16
	129	-	Op(CA 87)	209	-	AN 31	455	-	Op(DH 90)	598	-	AK 97
	134	-	BD 25	229	-	BD 34	462	-	BD 34	610	-	BD 24
	154	-	Op(ET 49)	257	-	Op(AK 72)	463	-	BE 14	613	-	Op(BD 12)
	155	-	DN 23	258	-	BD 25	465	-	BF 47	615	-	Op(AK 75)
	159	-	DT 81	260	-	AK 93	487	-	BD 22	618	-	Op(BD 19)
	160	-	FV 72	262	-	Op(BE 92)	506	-	FF 67	628	-	BF 45
	161	-	Op(CA 30)	264	-	BF 49	509	-	FV 65	630	-	AK 66
	168	-	AK 63	267	-	Op(AK 75)	510	-	CF 53	631	-	BD 25
	172	-	CF 53	270	-	AL 44	513	-	CG 17	641	-	BF 46
	174	-	CC 31	303	-	CG 90	515	-	Op(EK 40)	648	-	AE 68
	176	-	BE 94	305	-	BF 54	516	-	FN 24	662	-	Op(AK 71)
	177	-	DH 51	306	-	AK 97	518	-	DT 18	666	-	BF 64
	178	-	DT 66	333	-	BF 46	523	-	BD 34	705	-	AO
	180	-	GR 94	336	-	BF 51	526	-	BF 46	706	-	AK 61
	181	-	ES 66	373	-	BF 49	527	-	BF 55	732	-	AN 30
										954	-	AN 36

	On Return Passage: U 67 - 84 - 86 - 134 - 159 - 160 - 172 - 182 - 229 - 305 - 306 - 333 - 336 - 373 - 409 - 415 - 440 - 441 - 463 - 506 - 509 - 510 - 513 - 516 - 518 - 523 - 526 - 527 - 564 - 572 - 590 - 592 - 594 - 598 - 610 - 618 - 631 - 641 - 666 - 704.

- 238 -

	Entered Port: U 666 - St Nazaire; U 704 - Kiel.
	Sailed: U 226 - 175 - Lorient; U 650 - Kiel.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: Western Bay of Biscay.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 25 see paragraph IVa.
		2)	U 182 pursued steamer course 100⁰, on the 5th April in JA 1470. Attack prevented by the "Aloe" (5,047 GRT) which was subsequently sunk. Cargo: wheat from Australia for the African front.
		3)	U 615 fired a four-fan torpedo in AK 4840 on a single vessel of about 10,000 GRT and obtained a hit. The ship proceeded, after repairs, with great alterations of course to the N.E. Boat pursued.
		4)	U 188 also sighted a single vessel on a south-westerly course in AJ 6924. She did not pursue as speed was too high.
		5)	U 440 reported a destroyer in BF 6778 (probably one of our own).
		6)	U 564 had to submerge at 1236 in BE 6714 because of a shore-based aircraft and at 1410 in BE 6715 because of three of these. Further intercept messages from this area indicates strong enemy air reconnaissance.
	b)	Reconnaissance flight for "Irene" and "Himalaya". At 1250 one cruiser of "Adventure" class in square 3355, course 30⁰, high speed.
	c)	U-boat sightings: In DP 76, AK 71, CA 8186, AK 7183, AJ 9631 (probably attack).
		Report of torpedoing from EK 40 and SSS report from AK 7183.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 25:
		At 1400 on the 10th U 404 reported a convoy with southerly course in AK 4768. In all 8 boats of Group "Adler" were sent in to operate against the convoy which was an ONS convoy bound for America, i.e. U 84, 257, 188, 267, 662, 613, 571 and 71.
		Contact with the convoy was maintained until 0119 on the 11th. U 188 reported the convoy at that time to be in AJ 9383. Apart from these two boats U 404 and U 188, 4 further boats U 84, 257, 662 and 267 approached the convoy at daylight. With the exception of U 188 and 267 all the boats were driven off and depth charged. From these two boats, which were the last to report contact with the convoy, nothing further has been heard. Operations against the convoy will be continued.

- 239 -

	b)	1)	Since sighting of Convoy No. 25 by U 404, the 10 boats of Group "Adler" to the N. have been sent in to operate. The remaining 7 "Adler" boats have formed Group "Meise" and taken up the following sequence U 415 - 413 - 438 - 381 - 618 - 108 - 258, as at 0800 on the 11th April in patrol line from AK 7593 to BD 1617.
			At the same time U 706 - 532 - 168 - 584 - 191 - 630 - 563 - 270 - 530 and 203, proceeding westward from Convoy No. 24, were ordered to take up, at high speed, patrol line from AK 5489 to 8916.
			Both Groups overlap in such a manner that the expected HX convoy will certainly be detected by at least one Group. The convoy is expected in patrol line "Meise" as from the 11th April.
		2)	U 174 will have freedom of action around BB 79 and 87. If the fog is bad in this area she will proceed along the edge of it to the south or southwest and carry out operations according to instructions on traffic situation for U 161 given in War Diary of the 2nd April.
		3)	U 134 - 598 - 306 and 631, at present refueling, will subsequently proceed to AK 78. The following have refueled or taken on spare parts from U 462: U 415 - 381 - 229 - 438 and 523.
	c)	None.
	d)	1)	"Irene" was not encountered by the 4 U-boats proceeding to meet her. She was attacked towards 1700 in BE 9884, lower left, by a cruiser and presumably sunk. The boats were ordered to proceed to the position and take on survivors or look for lifeboats. At 2032 U 176 reported enemy unit in sight in BE 9762. She recognized this later as a cruiser or destroyer with unknown aircraft and lost contact in BE 9495 because of high enemy speed, course being N.W. No further reports have been received.
		2)	U 704 has arrived in Kiel and will be used as training boat.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 182 - 1 ship 5,047 GRT
	U 615 - 1 ship 10,000 GRT torpedoed.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- 240 -

11.April 1943.

I.	U 67	-	BE 98	U 181	-	ET 74	U 333	-	BF 40	U 523	-	BE 14
	68	-	DO 98	182	-	KY 95	336	-	BF 52	526	-	BF 40
	71	-	AJ 96 Op	183	-	EC 11	373	-	BF 40	527	-	BF 55
	84	-	Op(AJ 95)	185	-	DO 29	376	-	BE 90	530	-	Op(AK 86)
	86	-	BE 51	188	-	Op(AJ 96)	381	-	Op(BD 12)	532	-	Op(AK 57)
	105	-	Op(FE 30)	189	-	AE 13	382	-	BE 66	552	-	BE 18
	108	-	Op(BD 12)	191	-	Op(AK 82)	404	-	Op(AJ 96)	563	-	Op(AK 67)
	117	-	DJ 20	195	-	DH 47	409	-	BF 47	564	-	BE 68
	123	-	Op(ET 60)	196	-	EJ 67	413	-	Op(AK 79)	571	-	Op(AK 74)
	126	-	ET 58	197	-	AE 83	415	-	Op(AK 75)	572	-	AL 87
	128	-	BE 90	198	-	ET 79	438	-	Op(AK 79)	584	-	Op(AK 59)
	129	-	Op(CA 80)	203	-	AK 89	440	-	BF 64	590	-	BF 58
	134	-	BD 25	209	-	AF 87	441	-	BF 52	592	-	BE 34
	154	-	ET 85	226	-	BF 54	455	-	Op(DH 94)	594	-	BE 28
	155	-	DN 32	229	-	BE 14	462	-	BD 25	598	-	BD 25
	159	-	DT 52	257	-	Op(AJ 96)	463	-	BE 24	610	-	BD 51
	160	-	FU 66	258	-	Op(BD 15)	465	-	BE 65	613	-	Op(AK 74)
	161	-	Op(CA 30)	260	-	AK 97	487	-	BD 51	615	-	Op(AK 49)
	168	-	Op(AK 59)	262	-	BE 90	506	-	FF 54	618	-	Op(BD 12)
	172	-	CF 32	264	-	BE 69	509	-	FV 28	628	-	BE 65
	174	-	BE 99	267	-	Op(AK 74)	510	-	CF 35	630	-	Op(AK 83)
	175	-	BF 54	270	-	Op(AK 68)	513	-	BE 98	650	-	AO
	176	-	CG 12	303	-	CG 90	515	-	Op(EK 40)	631	-	BD 25
	177	-	DH 81	305	-	BF 54	516	-	FE 79	641	-	BF 64
	178	-	DT 96	306	-	BD 25	518	-	DT 13	648	-	AE 83
	180	-	GR 99	706	-	Op(AK 54)	732	-	AN 31	954	-	AN 31
	662	-	Op(AJ 96)

	On Return Passage: U 67 - 84 - 86 - 134 - 159 - 160 - 172 - 182 - 229 - 305 - 306 - 333 - 336 - 373 - 409 - 415 - 440 - 441 - 463 - 506 - 509 - 510 - 513 - 516 - 518 - 523 - 526 - 527 - 564 - 572 - 590 - 592 - 594 - 598 - 610 - 615 - 618 - 631 - 641.
	Entered Port: U 336 - 441 - Brest; U 641 - 440 - St. Nazaire.
	Sailed: U 358 - St Nazaire.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: Western Bay of Biscay.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoys Nos. 25 and 26, see paragraph IVa.
		2)	U 615 pursued the vessel reported yesterday further and sank it at night in AK 5417. The vessel was probably an auxiliary warship of 12,000 GRT. The Commanding Officer was wounded by splinters and had to return.
		3)	U 465 was bombed by an aircraft in BF 4569 and is returning.
		4)	On the 9th April U 515 sank a vessel of 3,500 GRT in EK 4633 out of a small convoy. Off Dakar little naval escort, by day continuous air activity, at night radar on shore. For 8 days scarcely any traffic found off approach to the harbor.

- 241 -

U 181 sighted the American vessel "Monasses", 5,983 GRT, course 45⁰, in ET 8881 and sank her by torpedo and artillery fire. In the course of the engagement 1 man was killed and 2 injured by 3.7 cm barrel premature. As it was necessary for them to be taken on by a homeward-bound vessel, rendezvous was arranged with U 516 at 1200 on the 12th April in FE 6155.

Air reconnaissance reported at 0940 in CF 3354 a cruiser, course 300⁰, and at 1140 in CF 3332 a destroyer, course N.

U-boat sightings: CA 81, DB 38 and 4 further boats in in known position - depth charge attack.

Torpedoing report from FE 22, EK 5158. SSS message from unknown vessel, probably of Convoy No. 26.

None.

IV.

Current Operations:

Convoy No. 25:

The weather situation in the area of the convoy at midday on the 11th was wind E 3, slight visibility and rain. Towards evening visibility improved to good to very good.

At 1100 U 71 reported the convoy in AJ 9934. Apart from this boat which again lost contact at 1300, U 662 and 404 contacted the convoy. Shortly before dark U 71 again found the convoy and reported it last at 0630 in BC 2683.

The convoy, which was reported by one boat to consist of 30 vessels, was proceeding at an advance speed of about 9 knots and on a mean course of 220. The convoy was reported by the boats to have strong air cover on the day of the 11th. 5 boats reported aircraft, one was attacked by aircraft bombs.

2 boats were detected by escorts during attack and driven off. The following were sunk:

			Assumed
Boat		Report	Sunk:	Torpedoed:

U 571	0735/11	7,500 GRT sunk, 6,000 GRT probably sunk. 1 hit probable	2/13,500	1 hit
U 188	0550/11	2 vessels each 5,000 GRT sunk. 1 tanker 8,000 GRT sunk, 1 further hit.	3/18,000	1 hit
U 84	0821/11	2 hits heard on 3 ships, each 5,000 GRT	1/5,000	1 hit
U 404	0130/12	8,000 and 6,000 GRT sunk, 1 hit on Type Tomas (10,000 GRT)	2/14,000	1 hit
U 613	2330/11	Straggler of 6,000 GRT sunk	1/6,000

- 242 -

		Only 4 boats are still operating against the convoy, as U 84, 662, 404, 613 and 571 had to withdraw owing to damage and received new orders from Control.
	2)	Convoy No. 26:
		At 1100 on the 11th U 584 detected, in the patrol line of Group "Lerche", the N.E.-bound HX convoy No. 232. The 9 other boats of Group "Lerche" were sent in to operate against the convoy, i.e. U 168, 532, 706, 563, 270, 630, 530, 191 and 203.
		In the area of the convoy by day there was a moderate S.W. wind, with good visibility. The contact with the convoy, which was first reported at 1100 in AK 8213, was constantly maintained. In good visibility 5 further boats approached the convoy by day. Towards 0800 on the 12th the convoy was reported in AK 6721.
		The convoy consisted of 25 vessels, according to report from one of the boats. 4 boats reported having been driven off by destroyers; no air cover apparent up to now over the convoy. The operation is being continued.
b)	1)	U 84 will proceed to AJ 82 and en route there, in order to give a false impression of the presence of several boats, give out radio messages continuously.
	2)	U 571 will take up as temporary operational area BC 34.
	3)	U 552 - 628 - 465 - 258 - 264 - 262 - 175 - and 226 will proceed to AK 75 for disposition in new patrol line or for operation against any convoys detected up to that time.
	4)	Since the expected HX convoy arrived a day earlier than expected and was detected by Group "Lerche", Group "Meise" will proceed to take up reconnaissance patrol as from 1400, course 230⁰, day's run 120 miles.
c)	U 117 has carried out minelaying as ordered.
d)	1)	Sectors A, B and C in Route A are open for attacks on single vessels until further notice.
	2)	Of the boats sent in to pick up survivors from the "Irene" U 128 was forced to submerge for several hours by a search group in BE 9726, U 176 suspected the sinking to have been in BE 9790. At 1800 on the 10th April she observed in that position or southward from it a large cloud of smoke but found nothing in spite of a lengthy search. Our own air reconnaissance reported at 1101 in BE 9739 8 empty rescue smacks. Our own boats were ordered to proceed over the above mentioned square and, if nothing were sighted up to then, to break off the search at midday on the 12th April.

- 243 -

U 414 has passed the Straits of Gibraltar and has, therefore, reached the area under the command of the Senior Officer U-boats, Mediterranean.

Reports of Success:

U 615	1 ship	12,000 GRT
U 515	1 ship	3,500 GRT
U 181	1 ship	5,983 GRT
U 571	2 ships	13,500 GRT	1 ship torpedoed.
U 188	3 ships	18,000 GRT	1 ship torpedoed.
U 84	1 ship	5,000 GRT	1 ship torpedoed.
U 404	2 ships	14,000 GRT	1 ship torpedoed.
U 613	1 ship	6,000 GRT

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

12.April 1943.

I.	U 67	-	BF 72	U 181	-	FE 53	U 373	-	BF 91	U 532	-	Op(AK 68)
	68	-	Op(DP 70)	182	-	GR 99	376	-	CG 21	552	-	BD 39
	71	-	Op(BC 26)	183	-	DN 84	381	-	Op(BD 11)	563	-	Op(AK 68)
	84	-	Op(BC 34)	185	-	DO 39	382	-	Op(AK 84)	564	-	BF 48
	86	-	BE 61	188	-	Op(BC 26)	404	-	Op(BC 34)	571	-	Op(BC 33)
	105	-	Op(FE 30)	189	-	AE 26	409	-	BF 52	572	-	BE 22
	108	-	Op(BD 14)	191	-	Op(AK 68)	413	-	Op(BC 33)	584	-	Op(AK 68)
	117	-	DJ 20	195	-	DH 74	414	-	CG 90	590	-	BE 64
	123	-	Op(FT 60)	196	-	EJ 98	415	-	Op(AK 77)	592	-	BE 63
	126	-	ET 94	197	-	AE 81	438	-	Op(BC 33)	594	-	BE 61
	128	-	BE 94	198	-	FE 27	455	-	Op(DH 94)	598	-	BD 25
	129	-	Op(CA 85)	203	-	Op(AK 61)	462	-	BD 25	610	-	BD 51
	134	-	BD 25	209	-	AF 73	463	-	BE 29	613	-	Op(BC 26)
	154	-	FE 34	226	-	BF 48	465	-	BE 55	615	-	AK 83
	155	-	Op(DO 12)	229	-	BE 51	487	-	BD 51	618	-	Op(BD 14)
	159	-	DT 51	257	-	Op(BC 26)	506	-	FF 41	628	-	BE 64
	160	-	FU 37	258	-	Op(BD 17)	509	-	FF 16	630	-	Op(AK 68)
	161	-	Op(CA 30)	260	-	Op(AK 68)	510	-	BE 97	631	-	BD 25
	168	-	Op(AK 61)	262	-	CG 21	513	-	BF 55	648	-	AE 81
	172	-	BE 98	264	-	BE 66	515	-	Op(EK 40)	650	-	AN 36
	174	-	BB 97	267	-	Op(BC 26)	516	-	FE 62	662	-	Op(BC 34)
	175	-	BF 48	270	-	Op(AK 68)	518	-	DG 93	706	-	Op(BC 35)
	176	-	CG 11	305	-	BF 52	523	-	BE 27	732	-	AN 23
	177	-	DT 33	306	-	BD 25	526	-	BF 40	954	-	AN 23
	178	-	EJ 36	333	-	BF 40	527	-	BF 61
	180	-	KY 96	358	-	BF 58	530	-	Op(AK 68)

	On Return Passage: U 67 - 84 - 86 - 134 - 159 - 160 - 172 - 182 - 229 - 305 - 307 - 333 - 373 - 409 - 415 - 563 - 506 - 509 - 510 - 513 - 516 - 518 - 523 - 526 - 527 - 564 - 572 - 590 - 592 - 594 - 598 - 610 - 615 - 618 - 631.
	Entered Port: U 409 - 305 - Brest; U 527 - Lorient; U 590 - St. Nazaire.
	Sailed: U 92 - Brest; U 707 - 614 - St. Nazaire; U 378 - Drontheim.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoys Nos. 25 and 26, see paragraph IVa.

- 244 -

		2)	U 195 reported sinking a freighter of 8,000 GRT in DG 9248, course to Mogador.
		3)	U 176 sighted in CF 3348 3 destroyers course S, speed high.
	b)	None.
	c)	1)	U-boat sighted or confirmed in DN 75, 2 further ones in unknown position.
		2)	U-boat attacked or was attacked in CA 37.
	d)	1)	According to Italian decypher, SC 126, expected by Group "Meise", was in position BB 8851 at 2100 on the 9th April, course about 90⁰, speed 7.5 knots.
		2)	According to special intercept message, the S-bound convoy was, at 0800 on the 13th April, in approximate position EK 4850, with speed 7.5 knots.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 25:
			The operational area on the 12th was approaching ever nearer to the fog belt off the Newfoundland Bank. Towards afternoon the boats reported the visibility as 300 - 500 meters owing to rain and fog. Air cover also became increasingly strong as the operation came nearer the coast and more dangerous in view of poor visibility. Operations were therefore broken off before the night, since the convoy had no longer been detected since 0630 in BC 2683, by the 4 boats still in operation.
			Final Review:
			Operations against the ONS convoy extended from AK 4768 to BC 2683 over a distance of 340 miles, and the period from 10th - 13th April 1943. 9 boats participated, 4 boats still operating at the conclusion.
			The convoy was reported by one boat as consisting of 30 vessels. It was proceeding at 8 knots. Escort was not excessively strong, but had an easy task in detecting the boats, since only 9 were operating against the convoy and, therefore, were detected separately as they approached the convoy at lengthy intervals. 3 boats only, therefore, were detected while actually attacking, and driven off by the escort. 6 boats were depth charged, 2 of these being heavily damaged.
			Air defence increased very much on the second day and 6 boats reported aircraft.One was bombed.
			In spite of calm weather, and consequent unfavorable conditions for the boats, and especially strong escort activity concentrated on the small number of boats, 5 boats were able to achieve success.
			They sank 9 ships with 56,500 GRT and torpedoed 4 further ones. No boats were lost.

- 245 -

Convoy No. 26:

The weather situation in the area of the convoy on the 12th was wind N.W. 3, with very good visibility.

At 1100 U 203 reported the convoy in AK 6821. She lost contact again at 1625. At 2100 U 270 again contacted the convoy in AL 4443 but lost it again soon.

U 168 reported the convoy for the last time in AL 4287. The two last reports from U 270 and U 168 were, according to dead reckoning, too far ahead to be likely. According to this the convoy must have been proceeding at 14 knots. Upon enquiry U 270 reported inaccurate fix.

The convoy, according to reports from the boats, consisted of 25 vessels and was proceeding during the night in close lines abreast. During the day of the 12th air cover especially was very strong. Some of the boats reported planes two or three times. 2 boats were bombed by aircraft, 2 had heavy, and 2 light, depth-charges.

3 boats, however, of the 10 in operation achieved successes.

Sinkings:

U 168	at 0203 scored a hit on a 5,000 GRT vessel and a further detonation after 184 seconds.
U 563	sank 1/1,000 GRT, 1/8,000 GRT and 1/5,000 GRT and scored a further hit.
U 706	sank an escorted, damaged vessel of 6,000 GRT.

The operation against the convoy was broken off on the morning of the 13th, in view of the strong air cover to be expected on the 13th and in view of the fact that only 5 boats were still operational.

For final review see 14th April.

The Group "Meise" was reinforced by several boats and disposed in a new patrol line for the operation against convoy SC 126 which was expected in the course of the 13th April according to dead reckoning. After U 84 had carried out her special operation and U 404 and 613 had joined up after breaking off operations against Convoy No. 25, Group "Meise" took up patrol line from AJ 9987 to BC 6349 at 0800 on the 13th April. Sequence as follows: U 84 - 613 - 404 - 571 - 415 - 413 - 438 - 662 - 381 - 618 - 108 and 258. However, as the convoy is at least one day behind according to special Italian intercept message, it is intended to allow the Group to proceed S.W.ward today in the reconnaissance patrol.

In view of the small amount of traffic off Dakar, U 515 will have freedom of action between Route A and the mainland S. of latitude 13⁰ N. After the opening of Sector D, operations are intended as from the 20th April in area ES lower third, and FD, upper third.

- 246 -

The new objective for U 128 is FC 50, for U 176 DC 70. The boats are to operate off Brazil or in the Caribbean, since the boats operating in these areas have all started their return passage.

U 181 gave wounded men over to U 516.

U 598 refueled from U 462.

U 303 passed the Straits of Gibraltar and, therefore, has entered the area under the command of Senior Officer U-boats, Mediterranean.

According to a report from the British Station Daventry regarding the destruction of U 444 and 432 the following information has been obtained: U 444 was attacked near Convoy No. 16 by British destroyer "Harvester" with depth charges and later, when she had to surface, rammed. The destroyer was also damaged in this engagement. The French corvette "Aconit" hurried to her assistance, firing with guns on the boat, which was surfaced, and sinking her after further ramming.

The damaged destroyer "Harvester" the next morning was completely out of action and had to stop. She was sunk shortly after by U 432 with 2 torpedoes. The "Aconit" which had hurried to the scene sighted the U-boat on the surface and sank her by gunfire and ramming, after she had submerged for a short time and been attacked by depth charges. 29 men in all were rescued from the two boats.

Reports of Success:

U 195	1 ship	8.000 GRT
U 168	2 hits
U 563	3 ships	24,000 GRT	1 ship torpedoed.
U 706	1 ship	6,000 GRT

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

13.April 1943.

I.	U 67	-	BF 61	U 180	-	KZ 76	U 358	-	BF 49	U 552	-	BD 23
	68	-	DP 27	181	-	FE 69	373	-	BF 68	563	-	Op(AL 54)
	71	-	Op(BC 29)	182	-	GR 89	376	-	BE 68	564	-	BF 49
	84	-	Op(AJ 96)	183	-	DN 67	378	-	AF 58	571	-	Op(BC 32)
	86	-	BE 63	185	-	DP 16	381	-	Op(BC 39)	572	-	BE 37
	92	-	BF 54	188	-	Op(BC 29)	382	-	BE 55	584	-	Op(AL 51)
	105	-	Op(FE 30)	189	-	AD 55	404	-	Op(BC 32)	592	-	BF 45
	108	-	Op(BC 39)	191	-	Op(AL 45)	413	-	Op(BC 36)	594	-	BF 44
	117	-	DH 38	195	-	DC 95	415	-	Op(BC 25)	598	-	BD 16
	123	-	Op(ET 60)	196	-	ES 39	438	-	Op(BC 36)	610	-	BD 51
	126	-	Op(FF 11)	197	-	AN 79	455	-	Op(DH 90)	613	-	Op(BC 32)
	128	-	BE 86	198	-	FE 56	462	-	BD 25	614	-	BF 58
	129	-	Op(CA 80)	203	-	Op(AK 67)	463	-	BE 63	615	-	AK 98
	134	-	BD 25	209	-	AF 78	465	-	BF 58	618	-	Op(BC 39)
	154	-	Op(FF 41)	226	-	BE 66	487	-	BD 51	628	-	BE 61
	155	-	DO 10	229	-	BF 64	506	-	FE 22	630	-	Op(AK 42)
	159	-	DT 21	257	-	Op(BC 51)	509	-	FN 99	631	-	BD 25
	160	-	FU 21	258	-	Op(BC 63)	510	-	BE 97	648	-	AE 79
	161	-	Op(CA 30)	260	-	Op(AK 48)	513	-	BF 61	650	-	AN 31


- 247 -

168	-	Op(AL 54)	262	-	BE 86	515	-	Op(EK 70)	662	-	Op(BC 29)
172	-	BF 71	264	-	BE 64	516	-	FE 26	706	-	Op(AK 91)
174	-	Op(BB 87)	267	-	Op(BC 28	518	-	DH 47	707	-	BF 58
175	-	BE 69	270	-	Op(AL 45)	523	-	BE 61	732	-	AF 76
176	-	CF 35	303	-	CG 90	526	-	BF 55	954	-	AF 76
177	-	DT 63	306	-	BD 25	530	-	Op(AL 42)
178	-	EJ 66	333	-	BF 68	532	-	Op(AK 68)

	On Return Passage: U 67 - 84 - 86 - 134 - 159 - 160 - 172 - 182 - 229 - 306 - 333 - 373 - 415 - 463 - 506 - 509 - 510 - 513 - 516 - 518 - 523 - 526 - 564 - 572 - 592 - 594 - 598 - 610 - 615 - 618 - 631.
	Entered Port: U 67 - Lorient; U 333 - 373 - La Pallice.
	Sailed: U 231 - 192 - 531 - Kiel; U 125 - Lorient.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 26 see IVa.
		2)	U 465 sighted a U-boat in BF 6728 (probably one of our own).
		3)	U 257 was attacked by surprise in BC 2629 by a destroyer appearing out of the fog. Course S.W. Boat continued on its way.
		4)	U 155 proceeding further over N. line of DO sighted nothing.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sightings: CA 5811, DN 84, CA 81. SSS message from AM 4529.
	d)	The Italian report regarding position of SC 126, being at 2100 on the 9th April in BB 8851, has been confirmed by our own special intercept message.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 26 Final Survey:
		Operations against the HX convoy were begun on the 11th March and broken off at daylight on the 13th March. 10 boats of Group "Alder" and U 260 were in operation.
		After detecting the convoy in AK 8213 at 1100 on the 11th, contact was maintained up to and including the 12th, enemy speed being about 8 knots. Visibility in the area of the convoy during the two days was good all the while, weather being relatively calm.
		While there was no air cover, over the convoy on the first day, on the second strong air cover appeared at dawn, so that the boats could only approach with difficulty. The escort apparently had good success with radar, above and below surface in this calm weather, since 4 boats were depth-charged on one occasion, 2 of them with considerable

- 248 -

		damage, and only 2 boats were able to attack the convoy with any success in spite of the fact that in all 7 out of 10 boats had contacted the convoy on the first day and in the first night. Obviously with these good weather conditions the enemy was able to spot the small number of boats. In the case of a large number of boats the next wave of boats comes up to the attack, while in this case when one boat after the other approaches each one is driven off and then the gap in defence cannot be exploited by any subsequent boats. Approach was no longer possible after the first night, when strong air cover came up.
		Total sinkings:
		Sunk 4/30,000 GRT and 3 further hits.
		No boats were lost in the operation.
	b)	After breaking off operations against Convoy No. 25, the boats were assigned to Group "Meise". In view of the later arrival of the expected SC 126 convoy, the patrol line of this Group was moved further westward, so that it should come into the arc of the convoy during the day. The following was the sequence at 1000 on the 14th April in position from AJ 9777 over BC 3579 to BC 6667, U 267 - 257 - 188 - 71 - 84 - 613 - 404 - 571 - 415 - 413 - 598 - 438 - 662 - 381 - 618 - 108 - 258 and 610.
		The convoy may be expected to arrive as from midday on the 14th April.
	c)	During operations against Convoy No. 26, U 191 several times successfully beat off attacks by an aircraft. She reported it as follows: After diving twice in view of a "Sunderland" 20 miles behind the convoy, continued pursuit and started anti-aircraft defence when the aircraft approached. Boat was turned diagonally and warded off attack with both MG C/38. After approaching twice, the aircraft circled within range before the boat until a destroyer was sighted after about 2 hours. The radio message will be repeated on all wave lengths in order to give all boats necessary encouragement for similar action.
	d)	U 455 kept a rendezvous last night off Las Palmas with Woermann tug and took on the crew of U 167.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- 249 -

14.April 1943.

I.	U 68	-	DP 64	U 178	-	EJ 95	U 270	-	AL 55	U 530	-	AL 91
	71	-	Op(BC 23)	180	-	KZ 58	306	-	BD 25	531	-	AO
	84	-	Op(BC 23)	181	-	FF 77	358	-	BF 47	532	-	AK 82
	86	-	BF 45	182	-	GR 87	376	-	BE 84	552	-	BD 21
	92	-	BF 45	183	-	DO 47	378	-	AF 49	563	-	AL 82
	105	-	Op(FE 30)	185	-	DP 26	381	-	Op(BC 63)	564	-	BF 91
	108	-	Op(BC 63)	188	-	Op(BC 23)	382	-	BE 56	571	-	Op(BC 34)
	117	-	DH 52	189	-	AD 84	404	-	Op(BC 34)	572	-	BE 66
	123	-	Op(ET 60)	191	-	AL 45	413	-	Op(BC 38)	584	-	AL 41
	125	-	BF 45	192	-	AO	415	-	Op(BC 35)	592	-	BF 40
	126	-	CF 53	195	-	DT 24	438	-	Op(BC 38)	594	-	BF 58
	128	-	CF 34	196	-	ET 47	455	-	DH 94	598	-	Op(BC 38)
	129	-	CA 80	197	-	AL 12	462	-	BD 25	610	-	Op(BC 66)
	134	-	BD 25	198	-	FE 94	463	-	BF 45	613	-	Op(BC 34)
	154	-	Op(FE 40)	203	-	AK 82	465	-	BF 64	614	-	BF 49
	155	-	DO 26	209	-	AF 44	487	-	BD 25	615	-	BE 14
	159	-	DG 93	226	-	BE 64	506	-	ET 76	618	-	Op(BC 63)
	160	-	FN 76	229	-	BE 66	509	-	FN 91	628	-	BE 52
	161	-	Op(CA 30)	231	-	AO	510	-	BF 74	630	-	AL 45
	168	-	AL 45	257	-	Op(BC 23)	513	-	BF 61	631	-	BD 25
	172	-	BF 78	258	-	Op(BC 66)	515	-	Op(ET 10)	648	-	AL 21
	174	-	Op(BB 79)	260	-	AK 96	516	-	FE 21	650	-	AN 23
	175	-	BE 67	262	-	BE 81	518	-	DH 44	662	-	Op(BC 38)
	176	-	CF 53	264	-	BE 53	523	-	BE 66	706	-	AK 91
	177	-	DT 69	267	-	Op(AJ 97)	526	-	BF 61	707	-	BF 49
							732	-	AF 48	954	-	AF 48

	On Return Passage: U 84 - 86 - 134 - 159 - 160 - 172 - 182 - 229 - 306 - 415 - 463 - 506 - 509 - 510 - 513 - 516 - 518 - 523 - 526 - 564 - 572 - 592 - 594 - 598 - 610 - 615 - 618 - 631.
	Entered Port: U 513 - Lorient; U 465 - 594 - St Nazaire.
	Sailed: U 266 - St Nazaire.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 68 situation:Naval patrols in the Anegada Channel up to DO 68. In DP 70 air activity by day and night. Return for supplies.
		2)	U 563 reported a large passenger ship, course 20⁰ and speed 17 knots, in BE 2176.
		3)	U 358 was bombed by aircraft in BF 5466. Outward passage continued.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat was attacked or was attacked in BC 35.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	None.
	b)	1)	Up to 2330 the expected convoy was not sighted. Two boats - U 404 and 571 - were detected by aircraft towards 1600.

- 250 -

			In order to be ahead of the convoy at daylight Group "Meise" proceeded in patrol line, course 50⁰ and speed 6 knots, as from 2330. It is intended that the Group should proceed to meet the convoy next day.
		2)	U 134 - 306 and 631 refueled from U 462 and are now proceeding to AJ 94. The boats are either to operate against the convoy or, if they do not intercept it, to extend the patrol line of Group "Meise" to the N.
		3)	U 552 will take up position in AK 75 as temporary operational area.
	c)	U 189 will proceed to AK 2810 after passing the Denmark Strait and is to lay a meteorological buoy there.
	d)	While entering Lorient escorted by a sperrbrecher, U 526 struck a mine and sank in a matter of seconds at a depth of 8 meters. The boat was proceeding at a distance apart of 300 meters, as ordered. By contrast with earlier cases observed (particularly high water columns with mine detonations) a surprisingly low black explosive column only was seen up to about the level of the conning tower.
		It seems possible that this is a new type of mine which is directed only against U-boat escorts and was possibly laid by some vessel from Lorient, and , therefore, that this may involve sabotage. The point in question - the fairway channel at "Trois Pierres" - is passed daily by numerous vessels outward and inward bound. No laying of mines by aircraft has been observed in the last year, and is considered a very difficult task in view of the heavy flak defence.
		Investigations will be carried out by the Flotilla and the Officer Commanding Western Defences.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

15.April 1943.

I.	U 68	-	DQ 44	U 178	-	ES 36	U 267	-	Op(AJ 97)	U 532	-	AK 79
	71	-	Op(BC 23)	180	-	KZ 64	270	-	AL 47	552	-	AK 79
	84	-	Op(BC 23)	181	-	FM 36	306	-	BD 25	563	-	BE 24
	86	-	BF 51	182	-	GR 72	358	-	BE 68	564	-	BF 93
	92	-	BE 66	183	-	DO 54	376	-	BE 80	571	-	BC 32
	105	-	Op(FE 30)	185	-	DP 33	378	-	AF 47	572	-	BF 45
	108	-	Op(BC 63)	188	-	Op(BC 23)	381	-	Op(BC 63)	584	-	AK 64
	117	-	DH 43	189	-	AD 87	382	-	BE 52	592	-	BF 40
	123	-	Op(ET 60)	191	-	AK 68	404	-	Op(BC 34)	598	-	Op(BC 38)
	125	-	BF 45	192	-	AN 36	413	-	Op(BC 38)	610	-	Op(BC 66)
	126	-	Op(FF 20)	195	-	DT 55	415	-	Op(BC 35)	613	-	Op(BC 34)
	128	-	CF 56	196	-	ET 78	438	-	Op(BC 38)	614	-	BF 47
	129	-	Op(CA 80)	197	-	AL 22	455	-	DH 57	615	-	BE 24
	134	-	BD 25	198	-	FM 23	462	-	BD 25	618	-	Op(BC 63)
	154	-	Op(FF 40)	203	-	AK 79	463	-	BF 46	628	-	BE 42
	155	-	DD 95	209	-	AE 65	487	-	BD 25	630	-	AK 65


- 251 -

159	-	DH 44	226	-	BE 55	506	-	ET 45	631	-	BD 25
160	-	FN 44	229	-	BF 45	509	-	FN 54	648	-	AE 79
161	-	CA 63	231	-	AN 36	510	-	BF 55	650	-	Bergen
168	-	AK 68	257	-	Op(BC 23)	515	-	Op(ET 10)	662	-	Op(BC 38)
172	-	BF 40	258	-	Op(BC 66)	516	-	ET 48	706	-	BD 25
174	-	Op(BB 79)	260	-	AK 92	518	-	DH 44	707	-	BF 47
175	-	BE 55	262	-	BE 49	523	-	BF 45	732	-	AF 44
176	-	CF 54	264	-	BE 51	530	-	AL 98	954	-	AF 44
177	-	DT 99	266	-	BF 58	531	-	AN 36

	On Return Passage: U 84 - 86 - 134 - 155 - 159 - 160 - 172 - 182 - 183 - 185 - 229 - 306 - 415 - 463 - 506 - 509 - 510 - 516 - 518 - 523 - 530 - 563 - 564 - 572 - 592 - 598 - 610 - 615 - 618 - 631.
	Entered Port: U 564 - La Pallice.
	Sailed: U 377 - 709 - Brest; U 634 - 525 - 514 - Lorient; U 223 - St Nazaire; U 710 - 386 - 533 - 528 - Kiel.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 262 reported at 0434 a N-bound convoy (No. 27), speed 9 knots, in BD 9345. The boat was given freedom to attack and was ordered to maintain further contact. U 626 - 175 - 226 - 258 - 264, outward-bound, were sent in at maximum speed to operate against the convoy. Since all the boats were still rather far away, their arrival could be expected only in the course of the following day or night. Further report were not received up to this morning.
		2)	U 161 situation: In area CA since 8th April search carried out in CA 37 - 38 - 61 - 62 for several days. Apart from patrols in CA 3778 no traffic was seen.
			After the first sighting on the 11th April, spasmodic very heavy air and sea patrol. In CA 6125 aircraft bombs, long term search groups with Asdic up to 180 miles from the coast, aircraft up to 300 miles. Boat considers operations in the vicinity of the coast as hopeless, as it is necessary to remain submerged during the day and, therefore, there is no freedom of operation.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sightings: CB 4921, DL 93, EC 1297, CB 4912, BB 8444.
	d)	According to a special intercept message there was a large floating dock, probably bound for Freetown, in EP 4879 on the 3rd April and on the 11th April in FB 1566. Course 85⁰, speed 4.5 knots. Boats have no news regarding this.

- 252 -

IV.

Current Operations:

None.

Group "Meise" remained at 1000 in the position line reached from AJ 9739 over BC 3236 to BD 4184 as a patrol line. U 134 - 306 - 631 - 203 - 532 and 552 also joined the Group and extended the patrol line from AJ 8375 to AJ 9723. THe boats received instructions for the night to watch enemy convoy radio wave on 124 meters, as well as to effect patrol of the area as far as visibility and weather conditions allow, with all possible means. At 0545 U 438 established convoy W/T. No further reports were received up to morning.

In order to carry out a special operation in the area of the St. Lawrence River, U 262 is restricted for attacks beyond 52⁰ W.

U 628 - 264 - 258 - 175 - 226 - 92 - 358 - 707 - 614 and 125 will proceed to AL 15 to make up a new patrol line. U 648 is already in this area and will operate until arrival of the above in AL 13.

U 84 - 630 - 270 and 168, will refuel from U 487 before further operations. Objective for this will be BD 2555.

None.

In view of the loss of U 526 the following instructions are given, effective at once, for incoming and outgoing boats when sailing in convoy - as far as weather conditions permit.

1)	All members of the crew are to wear life-jackets.
2)	Boats will proceed with bulkheads ready to close, and ready to submerge with the exception of Kingston valves, watertight forecastle and watertight stern.
3)	The whole of the free watch must remain on the conning tower and also all on watch, who are not definitely required below deck.

All prohibited areas in the Atlantic, apart from Route A, are now open. Attacks on single vessels are prohibited now only in Sector D including the extension to the E, as well as in the permanently prohibited area in the South Atlantic.

Reports of Success: None.

			For Flag Officer Commanding U-boats
			Chief of Operations.
			(Signed): GODT.


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Naval High Command
2 Sk1/B.d.U. Operations
		30.April 1943.
Top Secret.
		S.O. Only.

To:	High Command of the Navy,
	By hand of Lt. Cdr. Bauch.

	Enclosed are War Diaries of Flag Officer Commanding U-boats

for 1st - 15th April 1943, copies Nos. 2 and 3.

		By order.

		(Signed) Demmbers.
		Lt. Naval Artillery and Adjutant.


- 254 -

Top Secret.
		15.March 1943.

		S.O. Only.

Mining Instructions "Westafrika" for U 455

1)	Operation: Mining of harbors Casablanca and Fedala within the 25 m-line, alternative operation mining of shipping routes between the two harbors.
	A sketch is included (only for the boat) as a guide for the laying of the mines.

2)	Mines: 12 TMB, time setting 80 days, UES 6 hours, response at 10 m/Oe, detonation on the first run-over 8 mines (4 blue, 2 red, 2 A2) at the fourth run-over. 4 mines (2 blue, 2 red), 6 mines M1 detonator blue, 4 mines M1 detonator red, 2 mines A2 detonator.
	Maximum water depth at which mines may be laid 25 m, minimum 12 m, distance apart of mines 1,000 m.

3)	Enemy Situation: Entrance to Casablanca is protected by mine barrage probably directly before the entrance, passage through is closed at night. At dark a large number of freighters lying in harbor puts out with course N, anchorage about 2 to 3 miles N. of Casablanca. The harbor of Casablanca is lighted at night, lighthouse with lights burning and the city is blacked-out. There may be enemy mines within the 50 m-line.

4)	Geographical Limits: The mines are to be laid between 7⁰ 20' and 7⁰ 40' W and 35⁰ 45' N.

5)	Carrying out the Operation: En route into the operational area 2 bow tubes loaded with torpedoes and 2 bow tubes with mines.
	Enemy traffic should be observed before minelaying and the Commanding Officer should under all circumstances make every attempt to lay the mines as far in as possible where they will have the maximum effect. The alternative position (see chart, red marks) should only be mined when all attempts to minelay in the harbors have failed and further attempts to do so appear to be hopeless.
	The positions of mines given in the mining plan are only for guidance. Any alterations may be made by the Commanding Officer according to enemy situation observed or notified.
	Minelaying to be avoided at points with very shelving sea-bed and with heavy breakers.
	The time of minelaying is left to the Commanding Officer after investigating the area. The operation must, however, be completed by latest 2400 on the 6th April 1943. The are between 7⁰ and 8⁰ W and 34⁰ N must be left by 0800 on the 7th.

6)	Report: Report should be sent in as soon as possible after minelaying, but from at least 50 miles away, using code signals as follows:

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			UEIS : minelaying carried out off Casablanca and Fedala
			UESC : route between Casablanca and Fedala mined.


			For Flag Officer Commanding U-boats

			Chief of Operations.

			(Signed): GODT.


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